The selection landscape for the 2027 ODI World Cup has reignited following a pointed recommendation from former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. With the national side lacking depth and seasoned experience in its fast-bowling ranks, Ashwin has championed a surprise recall for veteran swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Emphasising the strategic value of international composure, Ashwin argued that the current setup leans too heavily on unproven talent, making a compelling case for an attack that blends youthful energy with battle-tested expertise.
Ashwin Backs Bhuvneshwar and Highlights Experience Gap
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin made a strong case for reintegrating the 36-year-old Bhuvneshwar into India’s 50-over plans. Drawing a direct comparison with Mohammed Shami, he noted that Bhuvneshwar’s recent fitness record gives him a distinct edge. Over the past two Indian Premier League seasons, Bhuvneshwar has been a standout performer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), claiming 45 wickets and playing a pivotal role in the franchise’s back-to-back title victories.
“Why not? The way our fast-bowling stocks are right now, there is some struggle there. I think it is worth considering Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Why can you not consider him? There is only one difference between Shami and Bhuvneshwar. Bhuvi has been able to put himself on the park for two seasons together for RCB and has been able to keep himself fit. Both teams RCB won the title, and he was also among the top three reasons for that. He looks fit enough. I am not saying to take him straightaway, but at least give him a chance and then decide. He can swing the ball, give you overs at the death and bat a bit as well. He has a lot of batting ability,” Ashwin stated.
Beyond Bhuvneshwar, Ashwin expressed serious reservations about relying solely on young prospects such as Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Prince Yadav for a high-stakes tournament. While Jasprit Bumrah remains the undisputed anchor of the pace unit, Ashwin feels the supporting cast requires a reliable foundation.
“Just because of the pure inexperience of the bowling attack, you can keep him in consideration,” Ashwin noted. “Gurnoor, Prasidh, and Prince – is that the bowling you want to play in a World Cup? I am not too sure. You can have one or two from these. Apart from that, you have Harshit and Bumrah. So with Bhuvneshwar, experience and youth will work well,” he added.
With the quadrennial event approaching, Ashwin urged the BCCI selection panel to end the cycle of trial-and-error experiments and finalise a settled fast-bowling core. He acknowledged that while Harshit Rana offers useful batting depth at number eight, time is running out for team management to lock in their primary pacers.
“It is not the time to develop players now with 12 months to go. You gave Harshit an opportunity, and it is important to know his status now as he bats at eight. Gurnoor and Prasidh got opportunities. But you cannot remove them and bring more bowlers now. It is important to identify who your four or five pacers are, out of which you will take three for the World Cup. That is why you must have someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar in discussions as well,” Ashwin concluded.